Senior Deputy State's Attorney - Civil Department

Civil Department:   The Civil Department within the State’s Attorney’s Office is divided into the Civil, Juvenile, and Abuse and Neglect divisions.
 
Position Objective:  The role of a Senior Deputy State’s Attorney in the Civil Department varies depending upon the division(s) an attorney is assigned to as noted below.  A “Senior” Deputy State’s Attorney performs the essential functions of a deputy state’s attorney with the additional expectation of handling higher level cases & assisting administration with interviewing, training, and mentoring new or less experienced attorneys in the division(s).  The general duties of the Senior Deputy State’s Attorney are directly related to the management and general operations of the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office.  

Essential Functions:
            Civil Division:

• Conduct legal research and writing.
• Attend county government meetings, court, and administrative proceedings, and assist the Civil Chief Deputy State’s Attorney in providing legal representation to the County Commission, Planning Commission, and the appointed and elected officials who manage and operate the various offices and departments within Pennington County Government.   
• Prepare witnesses and present evidence at all required administrative and court hearings and trials.
• Communicate with citizens and other interested parties on matters relevant to county government functions.
• Work and consult with federal, state, local and tribal agencies on matters involving county business.
• Assist in maintaining compliance with all county policies and procedures.
• Handle a caseload consisting of higher level or more complex cases.
• Assists in office administration duties as requested.
• Assist the Civil Chief Deputy State’s Attorney with interviewing, training, and mentoring Deputy State’s Attorney’s in the Civil division.

• Review law enforcement reports.
• Make charging decisions. 
• Represent the State of South Dakota and present evidence at all required hearings and trials before the Court involving juvenile offenders.  
• Conduct legal research and writing.  
• Abide by all victims’ rights and assist victims through the Juvenile Justice System.  
• Meet with victims and other witnesses throughout the prosecution of cases.
• Prepare law enforcement officers, witnesses, and victims for courtroom testimony.
• Work collaboratively with law enforcement agencies, Juvenile Services Center, Department of Corrections and Court Services. 
• Work cooperatively with the Juvenile Diversion Program of the State’s Attorney’s Office.   
• Handle a caseload consisting of higher level or more complex cases.
• Assists in office administration duties as requested.
• Assist the Civil Chief Deputy State’s Attorney with interviewing, training, and mentoring Deputy State’s Attorney’s in the Juvenile Division.

• Review law enforcement reports.
• Make charging decisions. 
• Represent the State of South Dakota and present evidence at all required hearings and trials before the Court.  
• Conduct legal research and writing.  
• Abide by all victims’ rights and assist victims through the judicial system.  
• Meet with victims and other witnesses throughout the prosecution of cases.
• Prepare law enforcement officers, witnesses, and victims for courtroom testimony.
• Handles a caseload consisting of higher level or more complex cases.
• Assists in office administration duties as requested.
• Represents the Department of Social Services in all stages of litigation in civil proceedings against parents and guardians accused of abusing or neglecting their children.  
• Work cooperatively with the Department of Social Services, tribal representatives, children’s counsel, CASA, and others involved in abuse and neglect proceedings.   
• Assist the Civil Chief Deputy State’s Attorney with interviewing, training, and mentoring Deputy State’s Attorney’s in the Abuse and Neglect Division.

Education and/or Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited school.  
• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school.  
• Membership in the State Bar of South Dakota.
• Minimum of 3 years of prosecutorial experience or equivalent for Juvenile and Abuse and Neglect Division.
• Minimum of 3 years civil government practice or equivalent for Civil Division.

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards.
• This position frequently remains stationary for long periods of time and needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery such as a calculator, copy machine and printer.
• Must be able to move up to 20 pounds unassisted and move 40 pounds with assistance.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively on telephone, in-person and in writing.

Working Environment:

• Most work is performed indoors in an office where noise and interruptions often occur.  
• Must walk to the Pennington County Courthouse court appearances in all weather, carrying multiple files.
• Overtime hours may be required to adequately prepare for trials and complicated hearings.
• Some travel may be required for training, meetings, mental commitment hearings and appearances as needed in other jurisdictions.